To ask you to help me book a holiday

[Nohopeforme91]

I've never actually booked a holiday abroad as an adult. Only holidayed in the UK. I have 3 children now and really want us to go abroad preferably all inclusive. I'm saving up as much as I can and have decided 2025 will be the year we finally go away. I've put money away to get us all passports and have set up a monzo pot. But I have a few questions.. firstly, when do summer holidays for 2025 roughly go on sale?I've had a browse and it seems it might be too early. Secondly, where would be the best family friendly place to go? And thirdly, roughly how much spending money for 2 adults and 3 children all inclusive?

Would you have to go in the school holidays ? That will make a big difference.

If you're not sure how to do it why not visit a travel agent?

Or look at a travel company on line eg Tui and get a package.
Some will let you book with a deposit now and pay later.

How old are your kids? What are you hoping for in your holiday?

Haven't booked a holiday for years so it may all ve different.

Decide where you want to go.

I always found it cheaper to book flights and hotel separately.

Use this year to get an idea or prices. Try to keep an eye on when they go up or down. I used to use Travel Republic for accommodation and separate flights.

There are way too many variables here. How on earth could we know how much money you will want to spend when we don’t know you at all.

Go and see a travel agent if you aren’t confident booking it yourself online.

You could go to a travel agent, Haynes, or the Co-op are helpful. Avoid Kuoni as they only have expensive holidays.
You are probably better booking on line, as you can browse a wider choice before committing. We have had good experiences with Jet2, On the Beach and Love Holidays. With all these on line companies you can cost your holiday without actually committing to sending any money. You could do that now to get a rough idea of costs.
The price of 2025 holidays will depend very much on the flight costs and the flight schedules for that year probably won’t be available until early 2024, we’ve just been able to book a holiday for May 2024.
I’ve not experienced AI, but I’m sure someone with good advice will be along soon. Have a lovely holiday when you get there.

you're far too early to be looking at flights for 2025. Easyjet currently have bookings open until the end of March 2024. If you're looking for All Inclusive then you don't need to worry about flights as that will be part of your package.
I would decide on your budget and then work out where you want to go.

I’m sure Martin Lewis published somewhere the best time to book a holiday. Booking well in advance or very last minute don’t necessarily save the most money, there’s a window of time that you get the best deals in, especially for flights. I’m sure a quick Google would pull up what I’m talking about.

You are a year too early, flights get released on a rolling schedule.

If you want AI book a package. We go AI but I budget for eating out several times. We like the AI element during the day for the kids ice creams / drinks / snacks etc. How much you need depends on what you want to do.

Go and talk to a travel agent they will guide you. have a look at Tui / jet2 and price for 24 it will give you an idea.

Package holiday companies (eg Tui) have holidays on sale earlier as their flights are charter rather than scheduled, so at the moment you can book a TUI holiday up to October 24 (they usually run about 18 months ahead)

If you want AI, benefits of a package is that you're protected if eg the flight changes, and it includes everything eg transfers. Plus you can pay in installments

When I go all inclusive, I barely spend any extra money - just tips and the odd lilo!

The easiest option is to go to a travel agent. Otherwise I’d book a package deal online through jet2 or tui or someone like that so you know everything is sorted (plane, hotel, transfers etc) and there will be a rep if you have any problems while you’re away.

Assume with 3 children you’ll need to go in school holidays but would you consider Easter? How old are the children? Do you want a beach? Hot or not too hot? Outdoor activities? Historical places to visit? One week or two? How much spending money depends on what you want to do - if you don’t leave the hotel, you’ll need very little. If you want to do excursions and have some meals out, you’ll need more. Summer 2025 holidays will probably become available spring 2024.

One thing you'll need to watch out for is good luggage, a holiday may look cheap but if you have to pay for good luggage it can swiftly add up.

Jet2holidays are currently selling packages until late next year, so you'll be able to book for 2025 within the next year at the latest. They've often worked out cheaper than booking separately, and as well as their own website, they're sold via Hayes Travel and independent travel agents, so you could you go and ask for advice if you're unsure what you want. They might be able to help with the accommodation, which can be tricky to search a website for, for your party size.

You say you want AI, so have a think about how you want this to be - buffets which is what's on offer for most 3 and 4 star hotels, not especially a great experience TBH. If good food and being served at a table is important to you, you'll have to seek out high end 5* hotels, which will be ££££s.

If that's the experience you want, but it looks too expensive, you might be better off going B&B in an apart hotel, eating out at least once a day, then stocking up on easy food, snacks, drinks, ice creams etc.

We've only ever had cheap suitcases and they've always lasted well. IME it's one of those things where there's no need at all to pay a lot unless you really want to for some reason.

I did my first few overseas trips with a £13 medium suitcase from Matalan and a bag I had anyway for my hand luggage. It's over 20 years old now and still perfectly functional and used occasionally.

I'm guessing @GettingStuffed means a good luggage allowance rather than the actual suitcases?? I agree with @BarbaraofSeville though, that cheap suitcases are often just as good and expensive ones don't get treated any better by handling crews so I wouldn't put anything in the hold that you're precious about.

Oh, OK. In that case, another thing to bear in mind with Jet2holidays is that hold luggage is included in the package price.

As it's your first family holiday, I'd definitely go package rather than separate flights and accommodation as it makes everything easier, plus Jet2 allows you to pay off monthly once you've booked.

For years I've booked flights and hotel myself, doing all the research and costing it up.

Nowadays when you factor in the generous luggage allowance and transfers with Jet2 as well as good flight times there's really not much in it and very hassle free. I liked travelling independently when I was younger and didn't want to be on a coach being patronised by a rep but it's a whole different ball game with kids. Had three great holiday experiences with them and just booked a fourth.

Looked at a similar holiday with Tui as heard they do good discounts for single parents but the flight times were much worse and from Luton which I dislike so Jet2 it is.

Just go on the website, have a look at destinations you fancy, put in all your details for the date you're considering using this /next year as a guide and then you'll know more or less what you're looking at.

With regard to spending money remember to factor in that if you go all inclusive your food budget will be zero for the time you are away - so if you'd normally spend £300 in a fortnight for the five of you that's £300 you have to spend.